diff --git a/scss/_type.scss b/scss/_type.scss
index 3bb3551509..b902a24c14 100644
--- a/scss/_type.scss
+++ b/scss/_type.scss
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ hr {
 
 small,
 .small {
-  font-size: 80%;
+  font-size: $small-font-size;
   font-weight: normal;
 }
 
diff --git a/scss/_variables.scss b/scss/_variables.scss
index 821be6c57b..73c401f7a1 100644
--- a/scss/_variables.scss
+++ b/scss/_variables.scss
@@ -193,6 +193,8 @@ $headings-color:         inherit !default;
 $lead-font-size:   1.25rem !default;
 $lead-font-weight: 300 !default;
 
+$small-font-size: 80% !default;
+
 $text-muted: $gray-light !default;
 
 $abbr-border-color: $gray-light !default;